Interest rates have some effect or influence, but there are a number of other factors (unemployment, economic outlook, population growth, household creation/consolidation, consumer confidence, tax codes, etc.) that are more powerful in determining housing prices.

Now granted, it's a very nice bedroom and if you didn't see the garage and how tiny it is, you'd never know that the bedroom wasn't always there.

I annualize my expected income and add in a 8-12% vacancy rate (average for US households).

Xing you mentioned that only the top .1 percent of traders actually make money...but that's the point that means you're chances of people one people that is a tiny tiny fraction of the investing is so small...so you're changes of really making a lot of money is small.

Our household income is between $160k - $175k annually and our credit is good.

I've gotten many judgements in my time, but have only collected a tiny percentage of those . . . eventually you come to write that off as the cost of doing business.

In the downtown area there is a double lot for sale next to our property. 2 old tiny homes on it, would have to be torn down. 610 or 612 17th Street.Usually there are a couple of lots for sale, but they are pricey, @ 450k I believe.

I rent out most of the houses myself, but I feel it's a bargain to have others show my properties in exchange for a tiny commission.

.*)CONSUMER LOANS DEFINED: Loans to consumers (natural persons) that are for personal, family or household use.* NMLS does not require that an originator have an NMLS endorsement to originate NON-CONSUMER loans secured by a 1-4 family residence.

After that, I transfer an amount to my joint checking for household bills.